Our volunteers come in different shapes – with them having the possibility of being involved in programs like ALZ Companions, VITALZ, social activities, virtual internships, and events like Walk4ALZ. In this Volunteer Spotlight we focus on Martha and Alex, who are involved in separate aspects of the organization.
Volunteer Backgrounds
Martha Schutte, pictured above with her best friend and husband of 37 years, Tim, is one of our social activities volunteers. Since 2018, Martha has volunteered in a variety of capacities and has dedicated hundreds of hours to our cause! Born in the Midwest, Martha has spent time living in Ohio, Illinois, Texas, and eventually settling in California with her husband, where they later had their two daughters. Her professional background has its roots in banking and small business lending, but in 2010 she began exploring interest in Alzheimer’s care. Martha and her husband Tim are both very active–playing pickleball, hiking, skiing, biking, swimming, walking the dog, “pretty much anything you can do outdoors!” Their big passion is travel, with their most recent adventure was hiking almost 80 miles on the Camino de Santiago in Spain last year. Their family celebrated the welcome of their first grandchild, a boy, earlier this year.
Alex (Yue) Liu, pictured above with his wife Lita, is one of our wonderful volunteers in the ALZ Companions volunteer program. Originally from the San Gabriel Valley area in Los Angeles, Alex came to San Diego for his undergraduate program at UCSD as a Cognitive Science with a specialization in Neuroscience major. According to Alex, “After my undergraduate studies I wanted acute medical experience in various settings and to travel the world so I can learn from as many cultures and peoples from all over the world. I enlisted with the US Army and served for six years with deployments to Europe and the Middle East. I am currently working as a vocational nurse at a skilled nursing facility while looking to pursue an MSN in Gerontology, focusing on memory care (dementia) and neurodegenerative diseases. My wife and I love to go hiking, paddle boarding, and flower pressing in local trails in South County San Diego. I am compiling a book of pressed flowers from the summer, spring, and fall so we can look at it together on our anniversary.”
Volunteer Insights
How did you first become interested in Alzheimer’s San Diego? Do you have any personal or professional connection to Alzheimer’s or dementia?
Martha: I have both connections. I started volunteering for an Alzheimer’s social drop off program in 2010 through the encouragement of a friend. Our youngest daughter had just gone to college, my mom had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and I wanted to learn and do more. I loved the people in the program and I ended up with a job at a memory care residence. I was there many years and then shifted to private care. I had some fun clients–playing tennis, walking dogs, and so on. I took a class in memory care that was put on by Alzheimer’s San Diego and I was so impressed. The presenter, the volunteers involved, the follow-up was all so impressive I decided to try to volunteer for this organization. From the moment I stepped foot into their offices, I have loved Alzheimer’s San Diego. This organization is so impressive in many ways. I love that it is all local and every penny donated stays here in San Diego. They truly reach into the community and touch as many lives as they can.
Alex: I first became interested in Alzheimer’s San Diego after moving back to San Diego to pursue higher education and certification. One of the nurse educators in my nursing program, mentioned that after her mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, one of the best and recommended resources was Alzheimer’s San Diego. My connection to Alzheimer’s disease is primarily professional and I have come to learn what an amazing honor and privilege it is to serve this dignified population.
What is your favorite part of volunteering with Alzheimer’s San Diego?
Martha: The people, hands down. Everyone who works at Alzheimer’s San Diego is a rock star, but a humble one. The clients and their families are truly incredible as well. It’s an honor to be part of an organization that does so much for so many. I absolutely love coming in on Fridays for Movement & Motion and Music Centered Wellness. The teachers of these classes are outstanding and they make a huge impact on many lives. It’s a wonderful program for caregiver and clients.
Alex: My favorite part of volunteering by far every session and every week is learning about the client. I absolutely love learning about their past, interests, personalities, dreams, travels, and almost every aspect of who they were and still are in my heart. The pictures, memories, and music that I get to reminisce with them has provided me a somber intimate glance into the beautiful tapestry of an amazing life.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your experiences volunteering with Alzheimer’s San Diego? What have you learned from these experiences?
Martha: I’ve learned to listen. Everyone has a story to tell and you can learn so much by asking questions and listening. I’ve also learned so much about caring for someone with a memory issue. It is important to make them feel valued and appreciated. It is equally as important to listen to care partners. Everyone is on their own unique journey, and Alzheimer’s San Diego is here to help.
Alex: My biggest takeaway has been that primary caregivers of individuals living with dementia are extremely isolated and neglected by much of society. In my opinion, it is unacceptable that the current state of healthcare is the way it is, and when I (hopefully) become a medical provider, there is no doubt that I am going to make profound changes in my own practice to not only the way we address Alzheimer’s, but also the support system for primary caregivers.
How does volunteering for Alzheimer’s San Diego make an impact on your life?
Martha: I have absorbed an incredible amount of information that I have used in caring for my own mom. Since she doesn’t live nearby, I feel I am blessed to be part of the lives of others here in San Diego who are dealing with similar situations. While I am here, others are with my mom, helping to make her life better. I am learning everything I can to hopefully impact the lives of family and friends. I feel so incredibly fortunate to be part of this incredible organization.
Alex: It is truly an honor and privilege to volunteer with Alzheimer’s San Diego, because I have learned and gained invaluable perspectives that cannot be taught anywhere else. To experience, listen deeply, and empathize with the primary caregiver and see the joyful smiles of the client is probably the best experience–personal or educational–any individual could ask for.
If you’d like to learn more about volunteering or interning at Alzheimer’s San Diego, contact our Volunteer Specialist, Lindsey Proctor, at lproctor@alzsd.org or visit our volunteer page.
By Lindsey Proctor & Braulio Ambriz
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Posted on August 22nd, 2024
